94 THE NECESSITY OF SEEKING [Chap. 7. proof is more particularly applicable to the worldly-mind- ed, the profane multitude, the formal professors, and even to the godly themselves. Theworldly-minded are so taken up in seeking the things below, that they have neither heart nor time to seek this rest. 0 foolish sinners, who hath bewitched you ? The world bewitches men into brute beasts, and draws them some degrees beyond madness. See what riding and run- ning, what scrambling and catching for a thing of nought, while eternal rest lies neglected ! What contriving and caring to get a step higher in the world than their bre- thren, while they neglect the kinglydignity of the saints ! What insatiable pursuit of fleshly pleasures, while they look on the praises of God, the joy of angels, as a tiresome burden ! What unwearied diligence in raising their pos- terity, enlarging their possessions, (perhaps for a poor liv- ing from hand tomouth,) while judgment is drawing near ! but how it shall go with them then, never puts them to one hour's consideration ! What rising early, and sit- ting up late, and laboring from year to year, to main- tain themselves and children in credit till they die ! but what shall follow after, they never think on ! Yet these men cry, " May we not be saved without so much ado ?" How early do they rouse up their servants to their labor ! but how seldom do they call them to prayer, or reading the Scriptures ! What hath this world done for its lovers and friends, that it is so eagerly followed, and painfully sought after, while Christ and heaven stand by and few regard them ? or what will the world do for them for the time to come ? The common entrance into it is through anguish and sorrow. The passage through it is with con- tinual care and labor. The passage out of it is the sharp- est of all. 0 unreasonable, bewitched men ! Will mirth and pleasure stick close to you ! Will gold and worldly glory prove fast friends to you in the time of your greatest need ? Will they hear your cries in the day of your ca- lamity? At the hour of your death, will they either an- swer or relieve you ? Will they go along with you to the other world, and bribe the Judge, and bring you off clear, or purchase you a place among the blessed ? Why, then, did the rich man want " a drop of water to cool his tongue ?" Or are the sweet morsels of present delight and
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